Typewriter ribbon regulators



Dec. 13, 1960 Filed Jan. 31, 1958 J. P. KNIGHT TYPEWRITER RIBBONREGULATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet l fiy if INVENTOR (fa/12V P @1 15?" ATTORNEYDec. 13, 1960 J. P. KNIGHT 2,964,157

TYPEWRITER RIBBON REGULATORS Q Filed Jan. 31, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 P J6J4 INVENTOR .famfl 171 1692! ATTORNEY United States Fatent TYPEWRITERRIBBON REGULATORS John P. Knight, P.0. Box 364, Roosevelt Park Annex,Detroit, Mich.

Filed Jan. 31, 1958, Ser. No. 712,343

33 Claims. (Cl. 197-171) This invention relates to improvements intypewriting machines, particularly to regularize feed of ink by ribbonto a typing area. A general object is to assure an even supply of ink atthe typing area. Thus, the writings shall be of uniform darkness, evenover long periods of typing. Advantages apply especially to heavy dutyor high speed machines.

Typewriting machines both compose and type their subject matter, as inthe manner of the familiar office typewriter. Such include tape-operatedmachines broadly, as well as tabulating, calculating or addressingmachines and others more specifically. To meet present demands suchmachines often operate for long periods of time, some at rather highspeed. They should require but little'attention. Some such machines mustfunction for weeks without attention, as where operated electrically atinaccessible locations. Yet they should continue dependably to furnishinked characters of uniform darkness.

These machines usually operate by successive impacts between typeelements, such as bars, and an inked ribbon. Usually the ribbon movesacrossan area where the characters are impressed by the type impacts.This in this description is termed the typing area.

Commonly in heavy duty typewriting machines the entire carriage orbasket with type bars and ribbon moves across the typing area. Thisimposes considerable jar or vibration on the cooperating elements. Insome machines, it is common for an eight pound carriage to type 360characters a minute. That is, an eight pound mass must start and stopquickly six times a second. This jarring is a burden on the mechanismfor inking the ultimate typed character.

Various arrangements have been proposed to feed ink by ribbon. But toprovide even inking of the typed character is a delicate matter,particularly so in heavy duty machines. Many of the arrangements alreadyproposed would require frequent adjustment and then not overcometendencies to unevenly inked characters. Material of the ribbon has beenvaried to overcome wear from continued pounding by the type.Substitutions for cotton often sacrifice the quality of absorptive bodyin the ribbon and introduce a tendency for slippage. Such factors becomemagnified as serious obstacles to dependable, even supply of ink at thetyping area of heavy duty machines.

To illustrate introduction of new problems by efforts to combat existingproblems of heavy duty typewriting machines, one may note the placing oftension cylinders along the ribbon path. A tortuous travel of the ribbonaround these cylinders is to increase friction against loose movement ofthe ribbon, but this may actually add to irregularity of the travel.Sticky deposits of ink on the guides increase jumpy movement of theribbon. As the ribbonresists pull of the spool-winding mechanism thestress sometimes stretches the ribbon fabric at the typing area, whereink is forced out of the ribbon by impact of the type -bar. Sometimesthe ribbon, first resisting pull, may overcome its resistance suddenlyand jerk free and belly relatively loosely. Ribbon looseness isillustrated by the numeral 3 in Fig. l or 13 in Fig. 4. Also, the ribbontends to ride up on various guide rollers and even to work off from therollers. In machines like the heavy duty type referred to, the jerkinessand impact of high speed starting and stopping several times a secondsimply worsen factors that already contribute to uneven ink in the typedcharacter.

Such problems are illustrative. Many of these exist from quite minutefactors that have been easily overlooked or ignored. They becomeexceedingly serious in heavy duty or high speed typewriting machines.The present invention is directed to such problems, though thisinvention may improve the typing quality of other typewriters as well.

Objects of this invention are to improve the feed of ink at the typingarea, to provide reliability in continued and even inking of the typedcharacters over long periods of time, to improve inking operations ofsynthetic-fibre ribbons as well as cotton or silk ribbons, to lengthenthe useful life of ribbons and to minimize, if not eliminate, the needfor attention to regulating the inking ribbon.

' A particular object is to extend the function of cylindrical rollsplaced along the ribbon path and to provide adjustability in theiroperation. A special object is to combine an inking roller with otherelements to regularize evenness of inking at the typing area. Theseobjects and others appear in the following description of a preferredform of this invention. Novel features of this invention are pointed outin the appended claims.

In general, advantages of this invention result from means to coordinatedelicate balancing of pressures in the path of the ribbon. Thereby isobtained continued and even supply of ink to the typed copy.

Describing an illustrative form of this invention, with reference to theaccompanying drawing,

Fig. 1 shows a top schematic view of a conventional ribbon spool andaccompanying guides with a ribbon loosely moving therefrom;

Fig. 2 shows a top view under this invention of a guide train and ribbonwith ribbon-regulating means;

Fig. 3 is a partial elevation of a guide cylinder and ribbon tensionarrangement;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the central roller in the guide train ofthis invention, with schematic showing through an adjacent tubularribbon;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a particular spring adapted to operatelaterally against the central roller of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of micrometric pressure balancing means;

Fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal section of specific micrometricshifting means; and

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the micrometric adjustment means,taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

With detailed reference to Figs. 2 and 3, this invention is shown inrelation to an inking ribbon 2 drawn from a spool 1 across the face of aroller 4, through guide bars 5 and across a type bar guide area 6 to aspool 24. The area across 6 will be termed the typing area. This iswhere the typed characters are inked. The area of the roller 4 withcylindrical guides 14 and 15 each side forms a wrap-around tension areafor the ribbon and may be also a continuous inking area for the ribbonafter the ribbon has left its spool.

and to each other. Also shown is an arm' 11 Patented Dec. 13, 1960 ThePat f 1 ribbon travel in this area is fixed by fixed mo'untingof" 1cylinders 14, 4 and 15 relative to a comm'onframe 9 11 adjusta'blymounted gen erally' tangentially of roller 4' toapply pressure laterallyagainst and radially of roller 4.' In the presiflj.

ferred position shown in Fig. 2, arm 11 is aligned with an area ofcontact of ribbon2 against the face of roller 4. Also as shown, arm 11bears a lateral terminal area ofpreferably textured porous material 12,though such material may be felted, preferably of some resilience andsomewhat soft contact. This terminal area is designated herein ascontrol tip 12, with functions further to be described.

In addition, thedrawings show a relatively hard resilient element in theform of a leaf spring 10. Spring is mounted in fixed position to extendacross the inner face of roller 4 in a wide area of dragging contactwith ribbon 2.

Spring 10 is adapted to exert pressure laterally against ribbon 2 at theface of roller 4 so as to hold or align the ribbon evenly against theroller. Spring 10 preferably is formed of pretempered hardened steel toavoid any warping. This leaf spring is generally arcuate and ofdimensions to fasten on the inner wall of spool cup 17. A free end ofthe spring is positioned and adapted for the ribbon to be draggedslidably thereacross and mounted to press the ribbon laterally againstroller 4 to keep ribbon 2 lightly dragging on roller 4. Thus the ribbonis kept aligned against and longitudinally of the roller face. The tipof spring 10 curves in so as to avoid catching eyelets and threads thatmay extend from ribbon 2. The body of spring 10, asshown in Fig. 5, isbuilt of diminished size, specifically of a narrowed intermediateportion relatively to the free end to minimize the stiffness and toavoid warpage. Thus leaf spring 10 keeps its free end parallel to theface of roller 4 and flexible with waves in the ribbon. Spring 10 notonly flexes but twists or rotates laterally to follow the face of roller4 in even the slight play or misalignments on its bearings that wouldtend to run the ribbon off the roller. The described structurefacilitates that spring 10 maintain permanently its constantlyself-aligning quality. It will be clear that spring 10 maintains aslight and evenly distributed dragging pressure on ribbon 2, ofsubstantial constancy despite long use. This pressure is exertedlaterally through ribbon 2 to bear on roller 4 sufficiently forthepassing ribbon to rotate roller 4. This serves various functions.

Adjustable regulating effect on roller 4 is obtained from arm 11 mountedto swing radially of the roller so that tangential control tip 12 bearsmore or less slightly against the roller. Arm 11 is relatively long andis mounted in a vertical cylindrical clamp 23 for pivotal movement.about a vertical axis of the clamp. 'Phus contact of tip 12 with roller4 affords a variable but fine or delicate adjustability. This is Withinthe low order of magnitude of the constant pressure of ribbon 2 againstroller 4. A low adjustable pressure of tip 12 dependably and accuratelyrepresses spurts of speed and differences in inking or ribbon 2 in viewof the low underlying pressure of leaf spring 10 as a basic pressureagainst sensitive roller 4.

Pressure on roller 4, though delicate, could easily stop rotation of theroller. That is undesirable. In fact from various efforts to overcomeerratic movement of roller 4 propelled by ribbon 2, it appears that eventiny particles of dust, lint or ink residue stop the roller. Efforts toprevent such particles from entering the roller mounting have failed.Axle seals themselves impede rotation. Sleeve bearings are quiteunsatisfactory. Where there are moving parts, dirtin harmful amountenters the inking roller. Even with roller-bearing or needle-bearingmounting, the roller slows 'or-stops erratically from dirt. Thisinturn-makes the-ribbon advancement irregular land promotes such billowingtend'cncies as shown by ribbon areas 3 in Fig. 1. Another pastditficulty has been reliance on support arms near the top of the inkingroller. Such :arms hinder free. insertionof ribbon to contact theroller. -More than that such arm's themselves tend to jar the roller outofstrict vertical alignment, particularly in heavy duty typewriters,

where vibration often shakes the entire frame.

Under the present invention, inking roller 4 is best constructed asshown in Fig. 4. This comprises a cylinder 4 mounted vertically at thebottom with multiple point contact, as on a ring of ball bearings 19upon a sturdy central axle 20. Lateral steadiness is imparted by anupper ball bearing ring 18. These races 18 and 19 are mounted with butslight radial play. A snap cap 21 fits into the upper end of cylinder 4to exclude dirt, etc. At the bottom, a labyrinthine seal ring 22 isfixed on axle 20 with but slight running clearance. Otherwise roller 4'is frce'internally and it is entirely free externally above the bot-tom;This structure permits free rotation of cylinder 4 with but a minimum ofside play. It appears that any slight amount of dust, etc., that mayultimately enter the interior of roller 4 encounters only point contactagainst the ball bearings and at these points the bearings work suchparticles free. Particularly with heavily vibrating machines, thisability to free itself of accumulations of dust and other particles is aprimary advantage of this point mounting of cylinder- 4. This is evenmore important in view of the low order of pressures of ribbon 2 andcontrol tip 12 against Desirability of an even contact of the ribbondragged across roller 4 is illustrated further in Fig. 4. An evendistribution of the ribbon at its vertical line of contact with roller 4is important. I ribbon 13 such as commonly made-of a flattened tube ofnylon or the like. Such a ribbon is described in Murphy Patent2,728,439, for example. This ribbon is tough but it tends to be slickand irregular in ink feed. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, double-wall ribbontends to pull into uneven contour. Clearly such ribbon neither receivesnor distributes ink evenly. The constant drag of spring 10,, applied atits line of contact against roller 4, benefits especially the inkingqualities of such ribbon, keeping the ribbon flat and in uniformcontact.

With travel of ribbon 2 along a fixed path in which it drags across aface of roller 4 in fixed position, suitable control focusses ondelicate positioning of arm 11 and tip 12. This increases in importancein cases where arm 11 serves multiple functions, as both toregulateribbon travel and to ink roller 4. Both friction and spread ofink are complex obstacles to nice inking in heavy duty typing machines.Structure of this invention combines balanced pressures to obtainlong-lasting, accurate inking by these machines.

Structure to control tip 12 by exact pressure adjustment is describedwith reference to Figs. 6, 7 and'8. Fig. 6 illustrates a fixedinter-positioning of three elements with respect to a base or frame 32;namely, inking roller 4, cartridge clamp 23 and micrometric shiftingmeans 24 for control tip 12. Their constant positioned relation reflectsultimately in inking performance of the typewriter.

Arm 11 engages opposite sides of a clamp or stirrup 26 that moves undermicrometric controlto rotate arm 11 about a vertical center in holder23. The elfective radius of this engagement is determinedbydesire'doffset in the element 26.

In the form shown, stirrupizfi extends as an armjprovided with afine-threaded screw element 27 .ofniicrornetric shifting means. Thiscomprises a cylindrical shell 24 surrounding screw 27, but leavingscrew27 free to Fig. 4 shows a double wall slide therein. However, rotationof stirrup 26 is prevented by a detent fin or boss 35 of member 27received in a slot 34 of shell 24. A hollow screw member 29 threadedinternally and externally fits into the far end of shell 24. Member 29interiorly screws onto the threaded arm 27 and exteriorly screws intoshell 24 by threads 28. The outer end of member 29 carries a long fingergrip 30, or other means, to rotate 29. Micrometric shell 24 is fixed bysupporting arm 32 to the frame 9. Rotation of inner shell 29 affordsmicrometric pressure change between control tip 12 and roller 4, as willbe explained.

Exact shifting of arm 11 and control tip 12 is accomplished by providinginner screw 27 and outer screw 28 with fine and coarse threadsrelatively to each other, but threaded similarly. Thus both are righthand screws or both are left hand screws. In the form shown, the innerthread 27 is relatively the finer and outer thread 28 is relatively thecoarser. Thus a differential screw is provided, which in this case is areducing screw. Turning finger grip 30 to screw cylinder 29 into shell24 effects counter movement of inner screw 27 into cylinder 29. Thisconstitutes a compound, or telescoping micrometer in which primary meansfor fine adjustment of the wick cooperate with secondary means to reducethe amount of said adjustment to less than that produced by the primarymeans. The stirrup 26 moves away from outer shell 24 to the net distancebetween movements of cylinder 29 and screw 27. This difference may be asclose or fine as desired. Advantages of this in accuracy and inpermanence reside in this form of control. For example, it would betechnically difficult to produce a single thread having a value of 0.002unit. Yet it is entirely feasible to produce a thread having a value of0.249 unit and another of 0.247 unit. The practical effect in thiscontrol is a single thread having a value of 0.002 unit. This slightmovement is further reduced by the relatively large radius of rotationmeans 30; turning grip 30 a considerable distance effects only a slightarc of travel and corresponding slight change of the differential screw.Even if grip 30 is turned inadvertently, delicate adjustment of tip 12is maintained against roller 4, and consequently delicate control ofribbon 2.

Preferred structure of shifting means 24 maintains a given position forlong periods of time. Self-seating means to lock the screw elementstogether is shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Outer shell 24 is perforated toreceive a plug 31 having the resilience of nylon. Nylon is wellknownmaterial having the property of returning elastically to a givenposition after deformation. Nylon plug 31, pushed and held againsthollow screw 29, becomes fitted tightly into outer threads 28,especially as movement of threads 28 completes formation of engagingthreads in the end of plug 31. On repeated insertions of plug 31,threads 28 cut anew into the end of plug 31 to lock the screw 29. Thisstructure herein is termed selflocking or self-seating.

Further to improve the self-locking structure of this adjustment, plug31 preferably is caused to fasten with appropriate screw threads throughthe wall of casing 24 and against threads 28 of cylinder 29. Nylonelement 31 first is screwed into the path of cylinder 29; then ascylinder 29 advances its threads 28 cut their way into the end ofelement 31.

A boss or shoulder 33 on casing 24, internally threaded, fits around andinto the threads of nylon screw 31. This holds the compressed screwtightly for a long time as well as Protects this nylon element. Thuscontrol for ribbon 2 remains effective even against long-continuedjarring by automatic and heavy duty carriage shifting hundreds times aminute.

of v

Cer'tain secondary effects of control under this" inven tron become ofparamount importance in providing even:

1y inked characters at the typing area. rate of ink flow is correlatedto time of ribbon contact and tautness of ribbon, making for improvedmovement For example, 1

tion with a train of vertical cylindrical "guides in thefpath of travelof a ribbon, the train comprising'a middle'rqller' and distribution ofink in ribbon 2. Finely adjustable," slight change of pressure atcontrol tip 12, acting through sensitive point-mounting of roller 4 ismagnified by its pilot-control of drag of ribbon 2. This is of increasedimportance in the case where tip 12 serves the additional function ofconveying ink from a reservoir 25'to roller 4. In this case the finebalance of pressures of tip 12 and ribbon 2 readily alters the rate andangle of capillary ink flow to and from roller 4.

These effects carry over to the typing area. This is true not merely ofthe even advance of inking ribbon to that area. It is true as to thespread of ink and of ribbon texture at that area. It must be noted thatin these typewriting machines energy is applied to the typing bar onlyto a point short of its entire throw. Momentum of the bar, nowfreely-swinging, is depended on to carry the type face against ribbon 2and then to impress the ribbon ink against the receiving surface, or totype the character. Thus, it is clear that ink quantity and its spreadin the ribbon texture at the typing area are exceedingly important toconstant darkness of the typed characters. turn result from the nicebalances of small pressures obtained by this invention.

7 Although the best mode of operation and construction of this inventionare described in accordance with the patent statutes, the principles setforth will enable those skilled in the art to understand how to modifythese specific illustrative structures within pended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter to thetyping area, comprising in combination with a roller in the path oftravel of a ribbon, a leaf r spring mounted to press the ribbonlaterally against the 35 roller face.

2. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in spring mounted topress the ribbon laterally against the roller face, and an armadjustably mounted to apply pressure laterally against the roller face.

4. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter to thetyping area, comprising, in combination a roller in the path of travelof a ribbon, the roller being mounted on a double row of ball bearings,a leaf spring fixed in position to press the ribbon laterally againstthe roller face, and an arm adjustably mounted to apply regulablepressure laterally against the roller face.

5. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter to thetyping area, comprising, in combination with a vertical roller in thepath of travel of a ribbon, the roller being mounted on a verticallydouble row of ball bearings, a leaf spring fixed in position to pressthe ribbon laterally against the roller face, and an adjustable .armmounted to apply regulable pressure laterally against the roller face,the arm contacting'the face opposite the area of ribbon pressure againstthe face.

6. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter to thetyping area, comprising in combination a vertical roller in the path oftravel of a ribbon, the

roller being mounted 'on a vertically double row of ball bearings, aleaf spring fixed in position to press the ribbon laterally against theroller face,'and an arm tangential to y the roller'wall and having atextured tip adjustable radi-v o fally of the roller to apply regulablepressureagainst the lf roller face.

7 Improvement in: mean s'to regularize feed of ink a typewriter tothetypingarea, comprising in 'cornbin' These in I the scope of the ap- 1mounted on a. vertically double row of ball bearings and open c rc mferetia t he b m e e o Pa t cles, a leaf; spring mounted to press the ribbonlaterally against; the roller face, and an arm adapted to, counteralancethe; r b on, p ess n h r l having a textured tip, adjustable radially ofthe roller and against the face opposite the area of ribbon pressureagainst the face.

8. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter to thetyping area, comprising a vertical roller in the path of travel of aribbon, the roller being mounted on a vertically double row of ballbearings and being opencircumferentially at the bottom for escape ofdirt particles, and means disposed to apply radial pressures atsubstantially opposite areas of the roller.

-9. Improvement in means, to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter tothe typing area, comprising an inking roller adapted to mount verticallyin the path of travel of a ribbon, the roller being supported internallywith multiple point contact, having a labyrinth seal at the bottom andshielded at the top, and otherwise being free internally, and at its topexteriorly being free and accessible for insertion of ribbon in contactwith the roller.

l0. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter tothe typing area comprising, in combination with a vertical roller in thepath of travel of a ribhon, said roller being mounted with multiplepoint contact, a leaf spring mounted at one end and at its other endpositioned to press the ribbon laterally against the roller wall, thespring being narrower in its middle portion than at the ends tofacilitate rotational flexibility and selfalignment of thespring.

11. Apparatus to control supply. of ink by rib-hon to a typing; area ofa typing machine, comprising. a low friction inking roller mounted on aframe, means to drag a ribbon across one side of the roller, a supportmounted on the frame to hold an arm in fixed relation tothe roller, anarm adapted for support thereby and for movement against and radially ofthe roller, adjustment means mounted on the frame in fixed relation tothe roller and adapted to adjust the arm contact radially of the roller,said adjustment means having a micrometer movement comprising meanshaving threads and means cooperative therewith to reduce the amount ofadjustment to less than that produced by the pitch of the threads,whereby ribbon drag is adjustedwith the ribbon and the roller infixedrelation to the frame.

l2 Apparatus to control supply of: ink by ribbon to a typing area ofatyping machine, comprising a low friction inking roller mounted on aframe, ribbon guide rollers on each side of the inking roller and meansto drag a ribbon therethrough across a face of the inking roller, aspring positioned to press the ribbon against the inking roller, acartridge support; mounted on the frame in fixed relation to the inkingroller, an inkcartridge comprising an arm containing a wick positionedfor lateral contact against; and radially of the roller, adjustmentmeans mounted on the frame in fixed relation to the inking roller andadapted to adjust the wick contact radially of atyping area ofa typing;machine, comprising a pair of ribbon guide rollers mountedona frame, a-ninking roller uppo Qnb l b a ng mou te on. t am n xed PQS QB et uam e,guide rol s me dra a i n hrbneh. he sli lere c o on si e at. t ink ns qlf -n, ea in man d. o h r m in posit o press the ribbon against theinking roller, a cartridge, support mquntsdfit flhq reme n. xe e at n tt e in wh n as ritis m tur t esslse mein ns rm dap d. ta' wisg late allyalzeut a. t .X .Qf I -9?4 T 1 g9 for lateral wickcontact against andradially, of the inking pressures-and thereby the drag betweenribbon androller,

roller, adjustment means mounted on the frame in fixed relation to theinking roller and engaging the wick arm in opposing lateral contacts toadjust the. arm against the ink roller, the adjustment means having adifferential screw arm of opposing threads as a micrometer movement, andlocking means therefor, whereby ribbon drag across. the inking roller isadjusted with the ribbon and the roller in fixed relation to the frame.

14. Apparatus to control supply of ink by ribbon to a typing area of atypewriting machine comprising an inking roller mounted on a frame andguide rollers to maintain a ribbon against one sidev of the inkingroller, an ink cartridge having a wick-containing arm adapted to rotatelaterally about an axis of the cartridge to contact the inking roller,and micrometer adjustment means having opposed elements to engage thewick arm for lateral movement of the arm, said adjustment meanscomprising telescoping differential screws similarly threaded, one screwbeing connected to said arm-engagement and be ing of finer thread thanthe other, whereby ribbon ink adjustment is effected.

15. Apparatus to control supply of ink by ribbon to a typing area of atyping machine comprising an inking roller mounted on a frame and meansto contact a ribbon therewith, an ink cartridge having an inking wickand. means to contact the wick with the roller, and a micnometer meansadapted to adjust contact between the wick and the roller comprisingtelescoping differential screws similarly threaded, the inner screwbeing of relatively finer thread than the outer and being connected tothe cartridge, the outer thread engaging a housing afiixed to the frame,whereby ribbon ink adjustment is effected.

16, Apparatus to control supply of ink by ribbon to a typing area of atypewriting machine, comprising aninking roller fastened to a frame inthe path of travel, of an inking ribbon, means to drag an inking ribbonacrossa face of the inking roller, and guide rollers to maintain theribbon against the face, an ink cartridge mounted on the frame andhaving a wick-containing arm adapted to swing laterally about an axis ofthe cartridge for variable wick contact with the inking roller, andmicrometer means to adjust said contact, comprising an externallythreaded screw member, adapted to engage the wick arm, a hollowinternally-threaded screw member fastened to the frameand anintermediate hollow cylinder having similar internal and externalthreads to fit respectively said externally and internally threadedscrew members to form a telescoping screw, said internal and externalthreads. differing from each other in pitch to form a micrometric.differential, whereby to adjust dra g pressure between inking roller andribbon.

17. Apparatus to control supply of ink by ribbon. to a typing area of atyping machine comprisinganinking roller, means to drag a ribbon infixedposition across a. face ofthe roller, an ink cartridge having awick adapted for adjustable contact with the roller, and self-locking.micrometenmeans acting on the wick to: adjust cont act thereof with theroller, said micrometer means compris ingprimary means for fineadjustment of the wick position and secondary means cooperativewith saidprimary means to reducethe amount of said wick adjustment to.

5 means to drag "a ribbon alongla fixed path of travel across a a t: hete ler me exer n n ta d eeain the r bsn a e roller ce s ab e meansterapply additional v pressures against the roller, rnicrometrie meansacting on said adjustable means to regulate said additional saidmicrometric means having fine adjustment elements and means cooperativetherewith to reduce the amount of adjustmenh of said additionalpressures to less, than that produced by said fine adjustment elements,and

means to lock said micrometric means at various pressures of saidadjustable means against the roller.

19. Apparatus to control supply of ink by ribbon to a typing area of atyping machine, comprising a ribboninking roller, means adapted to feeda variable supply of ink to the roller, and micrometric means effectiveon feed supply to vary the ink feed, said micrometric means comprising adifferential reducing screw, and means to lock the screw at various inkfeeds.

20. Apparatus to control ribbon-inking of a typing machine, comprisingvariable means to supply ink to a ribbon, a differential reducing screwof micrometric structure effective on said means to vary the supply tothe ribbon, and self-locking means effective on the screw at various inksupplies.

21. In apparatus to control supply of ink to a ribbon of a typingmachine, a micrometer of differential structure comprising means adaptedto vary the supply of ink, the micrometer comprising telescoping similarscrews, and a nylon locking element therefor.

22. In apparatus to control supply of ink to a ribbon of a typingmachine, a micrometer of differential structure comprising means adaptedto engage an inking arm, the micrometer comprising telescoping similarscrews.

23. Means for supplying ink to an ink carrying ribbon of apparatuswherein the ribbon supplies ink to type indicia on paper or the likecomprising, an inking roller mounted in fixed position on a frame in thepath of travel of a ribbon, an ink supply cartridge having a wickadjustable to engage the inking roller, a support in fixed position onthe frame to hold the ink cartridge, micrometric means to adjust thewick comprising a screw having engagement to move the wick with respectto the roller, and reducing means meshing with the screw for reducingthe movement of the screw and of the Wick.

24. In apparatus to control supply of ink to a ribbon of a typewriter,self-locking micrometer means adapted to vary supply of ink to theribbon, comprising telescoping screws of similar thread and differentialpitch and a nylon plug engaging therewith.

25. In apparatus to control supply of ink to a ribbon of a typewriter,micrometer means of differential structure to adjust a supply of ink tothe ribbon, the micrometer comprising telescoping screws of similarthread and differential pitch and self-locking means engaging saidmicrometer screws to hold a given position of adjustment.

26. Apparatus to control ribbon inking of a typing machine, comprisingan ink supply having a wick adjustable to supply ink to a ribbon, meansto adjust the wick comprising a differential reducing screw ofmicrometric structure effective on said wick to vary the supply to theribbon, and self-locking means effective on the screw at various inksupplies.

27. Apparatus to control an inking wick in a typewriter comprising amicrometer adjusting engagement for the wick, said micrometer beingconstructed with differential reducing screw threads and self-lockingmeans comprising a resilient plug expanding under pressure andpositioned in the path of said screw threads for engagement thereby.

28. Apparatus to control an inking wick in a typewriter comprising amicrometer adjusting engagement for the wick, said micrometer having acasing, differential reducing screws threaded therein and self-lockingmeans comprising a resilient plug expanding under pressure and directedthrough the casing against threads of a screw therein, the casingcomprising a shoulder supporting the plug.

29. In apparatus to control supply of ink to a ribbon of a typewriter,micrometer means adapted to vary supply of ink to the ribbon, comprisingtelescoping screws of similar thread and differential pitch and detentmeans engaging one of the screws to prevent rotation thereof with theother.

30. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter tothe typing area, comprising, in combination with an inking roller facelongitudinally positioned across the path of travel of a ribbon, meansto mount the ribbon to travel in a constant path against the inkingroller face, and means to cause the ribbon to travel with constantpressure and contact against the inking roller face and thereby rotatethe inking face comprising yieldable means mounted to slidably pressagainst the ribbon along its contact with the roller and maintain theribbon in constant tension and alignment in rotating the inking roller.

31. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter tothe typing area, comprising in combination an inking roller having aface longitudinally positioned across the path of travel of a ribbon,yieldable means mounted to slidably press the ribbon along a line ofcontact at the roller and impart yieldable pressure and align thesliding ribbon in longitudinal contact with the roller face, and an armtangential to the roller wall and having a soft, resilient tipadjustable radially of the roller to apply regulable pressure againstthe roller face.

32. Apparatus to control an inking wick in a typewriter comprisingmicrometer adjusting engagement means for the wick, said micrometerbeing constructed with differential reducing screw threads andself-locking means comprising a resilient plug expanding under pressureand positioned in the path of said screw threads for engagement thereby,and means to vary the area of engagement between the plug and themicrometer screw threads.

33. Improvement in means to regularize feed of ink in a typewriter tothe typing area, comprising, in combination with a roller face in thepath of travel of a ribbon, a leaf spring having a free end positionedand adapted for the ribbon to be dragged slidably thereacross andmounted to press the ribbon laterally against the roller face to keepthe ribbon aligned against and longitudinally of the roller face, thebody of the spring having an intermediate portion of diminished sizerelatively to the free end to facilitate flexing and twistingself-alignment of the spring against the ribbon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,262,856 Simpson Apr. 16, 1918 1,298,045 Huddleston Mar. 25, 19191,414,865 Delbare May 2, 1922 2,098,171 Van De Voorde Nov. 2, 19372,599,561 Knight June 10, 1952 2,725,849 Knight Dec. 6, 1955 2,725,915Johnson Dec. 6, 1955

